The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-08-19
EBENSBURG PA. FRIDAY. AUGUST 49, 1887.

10 what end He has renounced all
that belongs to this life-he has nothing
more 10 do with the world. Let him die
in peace"
"You ask strange thing of me, father.
When God lights the sacred fire of gen
ius in human soul IL is not that ii NAV
be hidden under 4 buShel and go out in
darkness. 1t should accomplish its sub
lime mission and give light 10 other men.
Tell me the monastery where this great
artist hides himself. / will seek him out.
He must be given back TO his country.
What glorious fame awaits him ~
and" said the prior, in low voice,
"what if he should refuse il ?''
"If he should / should apply TO the
Pope, who honors me with his friendship,
and perhaps his Holiness may convince
him"
"Ah, you see was right in refusing to
give you his name, or that of the mon
astery in which he conceals himself"
Then, father" cried Rubens, a flush
mounting 10 his brow, perhaps the Pope
and the King may be induced TO break
your silence l shall see that it be
done"
''Oh, no, no; YOU will not do this thing,
Senor Rubensi" exclaimed the monk.
1t Will be wrong-very wrong Take
the picture If you like, but leave him who
Is IT rest to the end. | speak in the name
of God. Yes, / have known this great
man, as l call him-loved him, comfOrted
HIM, redeemed him from amid the waves
OF earthly passions and miSerieS, where
he WAS drowning. There was a time
when he had forgotten God. Now he is
very near TO eternal blesSedness. Glory,
fame! Do you know of greater ones than
those TO which he aspires What right
have You to seek to influence once more
with earthly vanitieS soul in which
there now only burdens the love ofGod ?
Do you know the anguish. the bitterness,
the supreme disilluSionS which led him
to a realization of the utter vanity of all
things here below? Would you drag him
into the heat OF the fray when he is SO
near to final triumph ?''
But this is to renounce Immortality u
1t Is To aspire TO win II.
And with what right do YOU place
yourself between this man and the world d?
Let me speak 10 him-let him decide"
With the right of an older brother, of
teacher, OF a father-for am all that TO
hlm-l am all that TO him-I repeat, do
II in the name Of God. Respect my right
rs you hope for the welfare of your soul"
And drawing his cowl over his head
the monk glided swiftly up the church.
Master said one OF Rubens pupils
who during the foregoing conversation,
had been attentiv"lv ScrUtiniZing the
prior's features, "did it not strike YOU
that there WAS u singular resemblance be-
tween that old friar and the dead monk
IN that picture ~
Truly, you are right" " said all OF them
in breath.
subtract the wrinkles and beard, and
the thirty years which the master holds
have elapsed since the picture was
painted, and / think We shall find that
he Was right when he said that the dead
monk was the portrait OF the artist him
sell, and, moreover. that IL is the work of
none other than the prior OF this con-
vent"
Rubens, sombre. shamed and deeply
moved, looked after the retreating form
OF the old man. Before disappearing the
monk turned, and crossing his arm on his
chest bowed low TO the painter.
1T is he-yes, yes" murmured Ru-
bens- Come, let US go. That man is
night What IS the greatness that have
compared to his ? Let him die in peace"
And with 4 last look at the wonderful
canvas he left the church, and repaired
10 the palace, where he WAS 10 dine with
the king and queen.
Three days later, Rubens, alone and
unattended, made his wav back TO the
modest chapel once more, to see the won
dcrful picture, and To speak 10 the artist.
But the painting no longer hung in its
place.
In the knave of the church stood a
bier, and around it knelt all the mem
bers OF the community, chanting the Office
OF the dead.
The master approached. On the bier
lay the prioI
He was great painter" said Ru-
bens, after long pause, filled by many
mixed emotions. Now is the time when
he looks most like his work -